Chapter Three - Revelation, Conversation and Confession.

POV: Ayano l The Next Day

Ayano spent the night before wandering her room, wondering how she was going to steer Oka away from Chara, nothing must come between her and him, she cannot be seperated from him in that manner. What method would be effective she thought.

She could manipulate Oka somehow, maybe make her fall for someone else? Or perhaps find some dirt on her and leak it to the school, making her unapproachable, even to a distant person like Chara. Of course killing her was perhaps the most effective solution, but required considerable effort into avoiding being caught, though local law enforcement had become too complacent and overconfident in with the new technology available to them. The town was of course, fairly peaceful, except for that one incident before Ayano's time, but she never bothered to look into it too much, all she knew was that it happened at her school, the true culprit was never found and because of this, the teachers at her school all have self defense training, which meant they had to be avoided at all costs and Ayano had to be very careful, however, Oka Rudo is into the occult, perhaps that could be used against her, maybe trick her into performing some kind of ritual suicide.

Ayano considered many options, but eventually decided a simple accidental death was in order, but with Chara possibly having an interest in the occult club, doing so will be difficult, well if she found an easier method, she'll enact that instead.

Ayano proceeded to appear to commit to joining the Occult Club, wouldn't you know it, Chara had decided to do this as well, however Chara seemed genuinely interested in something, a book that Oka had shown him, curious as to what it was, she kept an eye on it and went to read it when Chara was reading something else.

"The Legend of Mount Ebbot." she read aloud briefly, opening the book, what she learned could be summarized as the following.

Long ago, two races ruled the Earth, humans and monsters.

One day, war broke out between the two races. The humans fought bravely and eventually defeated the monsters, seven mages sealed them away underneath Mt. Ebbot with a powerful magic barrier.

Mt. Ebbot, a hard place to find indeed, but thankfully Oka had tracked it down and there were enough notes and books in the club, as well as her fixation on it leading to many conversations about it she could overhear, Ayano not only deduced that Mt. Ebbot was in Idaho, but that Chara was from a village near the summit of it. A curiosity formed, if Mt. Ebbot was real, was there then some truth to these tales? She would probably ask Chara about it later once her goals had been satisfied.

POV: Chara

Chara had lost sight of his original plan, but kept in mind that Ayano was always nearby, this was annoying, but the hate in her soul never went below a certain amount, and whenever Oka Rudo was nearby, it swelled. It was clear to Chara by now that Ayano hated Oka, probably because of the time Chara had been spending with her today. Chara grinned, his plan worked, but if the hate didn't subside, he wondered if Ayano was going to do something to prove he has a good reason to despise humanity. Oka was quite harmless despite being labeled as creepy by most everyone else. This was fine, Chara related to being the outsider and this seemed to draw the two together, that being said, it wasn't as if he was interested in her romantically, they shared interests, nothing more. However, something was, off about Oka and the Occult Club in general, the pentagrams and the like were to be expected, but some of the things they were doing, were dangerous.

They had too many things that Chara recognized from the Ebbot Library, things that make sense with what he's seen and additionally, he could sense with his power a force here, two in fact.

One felt restless, the other felt hopeful, deceitful and hungry, very hungry. Neither presences felt human, not fully at least. Chara had joined the club to investigate this, he's encountered paranormal incidents before but usually it's something small like a haunting or the like, he's never actually seen a ghost or a monster, just dealt with unexplainable events, this however was different, he could sense danger the more he learned, as if the act of learning itself of this threat was what made it a threat.

Chara sighed and brushed it to the back of his mind, he's been trolling the SCP Wiki too much lately.

Oka excused herself, explaining she had to head to the ladie's room, Ayano seemed to stop following Chara and was now following Oka, Chara felt a sharp tinge in his SOUL, as if it was a vibration sent through the tether by Ayano's now Hateful Soul. The look on her face, that was the expression of someone who was considering murder.

He's seen this expression before, in an unfortunate incident he witnessed 3 years ago near Mt. Ebbot.

It was subtle, very few would recognize it. As Ayano walked by, Chara turned, pretending to bump into her by accident, this caused a book he was holding to drop, by now, Oka had left sight and Chara apologized to Ayano, before looking at her dead in the eyes.

POV: Unknown

How very interesting...

Ayano could tell from Chara's gaze that he knew something was off about her, it was like their connected SOULs allowed a type of communication that didn't use words, but rather, feelings, or emotions perhaps.

Ayano however, being so close to Chara, had mostly forgotten about her desire to kill Oka, making an excuse for her clumsiness and apologizing. Whatever the nature of Ayano's condition, being in such close proximity to Chara was like an addict finally getting a fix after so long, a sense of euphoria filled her and she couldn't pull herself away from his presence easily. She knew by now her opportunity to take down Oka quietly and without arousing suspicion had passed.

But then, a thought came to her mind, Chara's moment of staring at her, that wasn't the same as a romantic moment, she knew now, he knew. How did he know, it was like he could sense her feelings maybe? It was strange, it wasn't a feeling she had mentally, not normally, it was something she felt in her very SOUL to be true. They were connected, was the connection two-way or was something about Chara special that allowed him to make this connection two-way. Or perhaps, a theory without a basis formed. Maybe he was like her, and she completed him much as he completed her.

Chara of course, had no such feelings, he felt Ayano's presence as a barely tolerable intrusion into his life, three weeks he thought to himself each time he had to interact with Ayano. But he was also curious about this whole soul connection thing as well, he wanted an answer to it, but if he had to choose between going home and getting that answer, he'd choose home. He wants to go back to a normal life, hopefully the group his dad's in won't ask them to move out of state again. Chara hated this, he hated not being in control, it was like he never had any control, like someone else was moving him around like a character in a video game. This hate, reverbed through their SOUL connection, and Ayano felt it, she knew it wasn't directed at herself, but rather, she interpreted it as Chara having hate for himself. She gave a certain expression to Chara as he picked up the book he dropped, all this transpired in a few, brief seconds. When the two stood, they stared at eachother briefly, before Chara spoke, saying "Aishi was it?" Ayano nodded and replied "You can call me Ayano if you want."

It was the first time they had actually spoken to eachother beyond apologizing for an accidental collusion. Chara then said "Come lunchtime, why don't we sit together, I have some questions for you."

Ayano was almost dumbstruct for a moment, before saying. "O-oh. Yeah sure." she said with a meek tone of voice, Chara made her feel so different, he made her feel human.

Of course the entire club witnessed and overheard this, some of the girls shook there heads and one of them, a friend of Oka, spoke up, saying "Just what are your intentions to our Club President. I swear if yo-"

Something scared her into silence, both Chara and Ayano turned their heads to face her, both having a look of utter wrath, Chara's crimson red eyes she could swear were glowing, Ayano's were glowing a more reddish violet.

Almost as if a light switch was flicked, their eyes returned to normal, leaving the girl confused as if she was hallucinating or not, Chara then said "Don't get me wrong, Rudo-san seems okay. But I'm not interested in her romantically, nor have I given that impression. I'm only interested in befriending her, nothing further and I'll tell her this myself if she feels differently." Ayano looked at Chara and breathed a sigh of relief, it appears Oka wasn't a threat afterall, thankfully this connection with Chara is two-way, or she would have killed someone without needing to. Of course she'd still do it if Oka was a threat, nothing will get in her way to have Chara, but the fact that she didn't need to was a relief. Less of a hassle.

The fellow club member sighed and said "Has Rudo confessed anything to you yet? It's clearly obvious she's into you and if she has, you should tell her this." Chara sighed and said "No, she hasn't confessed any feelings to me, tell her about what I said or don't, I don't care either way. Don't misunderstand my interest in Aishi-senpai either, my questions for her are of a personal nature, but I've no romantic inclinations towards her or anyone else for that matter."

This hit Ayano, hard, but she had time to change his opinion and barring that, she could always kidnap him and mindbreak him the way her mother taught her. At least for now, there weren't any rivals to worry about.

Later, during Lunch time.

Chara sat down next to Ayano this time in the cafeteria, as usual, whatever the heck he got from the vending machine to satiate his desire for chocolate, she too purchased.

After consuming their chocolate bars, Ayano said "So, what did you want to ask me about?" Chara sighed and said "What I'm about to tell you, keep to yourself, in return of course, I'll keep to myself anything you'd rather not others to know. Sound like a deal?" Ayano nodded and waited for Chara's question, he took a sip of a lemon soda and then said "You can feel the connection between us right? Like it's part of our very essence, our SOULs?" Ayano had hoped this meant she was right with her theory, she felt joy, satisfaction, happiness that Chara recognized they had a connection, Ayano then said "Yes, it's like you give me the will to move forward, a reason to live, like you give me, what's the word I'm looking for?" Chara spoke, saying "Like I give you Determination?"

Ayano nodded and said "Yes, exactly that." Chara nodded and Ayano felt something in the air change, people around them moved more slowly, before stopping altogether, she heard what sounded like a shutter click, or some 16 bit sound effect or maybe both. The area around them was black, the tables, the walls, they had white and green outlines, Chara and herself were devoid of color other than black and white, at first, then Chara's eyes became crimson red, bright, like two rings of blood surrounding a void that was the pupil. A crimson red heart near his chest and a similar one near Ayano's chest.

Chara then said "This is a unique ability of mine, I've never encountered anyone else who has it. Time can slow, move normally or even speed up here relative to the outside world. I like to call it the battlespace, since the first time I activated this power, someone was trying to kill me, that was 3 years ago."

Ayano was shocked, someone tried to kill Chara 3 years ago? Oh how she blessed the fates they didn't succeed, she wanted to find this person if they were still alive and end them. She replied "They clearly failed, are they still a threat?" Chara shook his head and said "No, I dealt with them. Nobody can eavesdrop on us as far as I know, the only reason I'm doing this is to prove what I'm about to say next, I also will state again, you are to tell No-One about this."

Ayano nodded and said "I can keep a secret, I have a few of my own." Chara nodded and said "I suspected as much. I have the ability to sense SOULs, the only reason we collided earlier when we first met, was because your SOUL was, empty, but lately, it's no longer empty, at least when you're around me. I can feel my own determination being shared with, or rather, leeched by you. The reason I'm mentioning all this is because I think you have a better understanding on what's going on than I do, additionally, your stalking has gotten annoying, yes I'm aware of you clinging to me like a lost puppy."

Ayano listened to Chara's words and thought for a moment before speaking, saying "I see. Unfortunately, I don't know too much about why or how it's the case, but I know that without you, I feel as if I'm always Empty, Hollow, without joy or reason to exist. I still have emotions, they're just, suppressed, as if a heavy weight is on my SOUL keeping me from feeling, but around you, it's as if that weight is lifted. Please, would you stay by my side always? I can't believe I just blurted all that out."

Chara chuckled and said "Ever feel like you're not really in control of your own actions, like someone else is behind a computer screen, typing or using a keyboard to dictate what you do next?" Ayano put her finger on her chin briefly, now that he mentioned it, yes, she's felt like that ever since she bumped into him, like it was at that moment, control of her actions shifted to someone or something else. She nodded and said "To be honest, yes. Only since bumping into you the first time though. What about, my request?" it wasn't really a request, but if she came off as too possessive, he might react with hostility.

Chara considered this, then said "Would you, ever betray me?" Ayano shook her head and said with confidence "Never. You are the only thing that gives my life meaning. I would never do anything to jeopardize being with you for the rest of my life. I never want to lose these feelings, I need you, and I'm only saying this because of the interest you've shown in me."

Chara sighed and said "I showed interest because I noticed you stalking me, Idiot. But I'll consider your request, if what you say is true, you're probably the only human being I could ever trust. You should know though that I will be moving out of the country back to my homeland in three weeks or so." Ayano sighed and said "I know. But my mother is very understanding, I've, already been talking to her about making arrangements to follow you there."

Chara scoffed and said "Jeez, talk about creepy stalker level going over 9000." Ayano rose an index finger and said "Actually, it was 8000, the whole 9000 thing is just a translation error." Chara shrugged and said "Close enough. I suppose I wouldn't mind it, though my father would be a tough nut to crack, the controlling bastard probably wouldn't approve, especially given his associates. But to hell with him, from now on, I make my own choices. I suggest you do the same, whilst I don't really care about the others, my greatest revenge right now against humanity is to not be like them. Humans are the real monsters, which makes me wonder sometimes if all the legends about monsters are a load of baloney."

Ayano nodded and said "I can be very persuasive. So you'll stick around with me?" Chara shrugged and said "Yeah, sure. For now we're just friends though. Always keep that in mind." Ayano nodded, as long as she was always with him, it didn't matter how it was between them or what they did together, as long as they were together. Sure, the best way would be to have him fall in love with her and she'll take steps to that end, but she's not that impatient, she can wait if she knows she'll get what she wants in the end.

The battlespace faded out and everything was normal again, the return of the sound of other students talking, apparently oblivious to whatever happened. A few were clearly looking in their direction when Chara used his power, but they clearly didn't notice anything out of the ordinary, aside of course, from Chara and Ayano having a conversation, as Chara was never known to be the type that socialized much.

Chara pondered these events, what changed between them? He considered and even still considers her an annoyance, why then did he take these actions, why did he accept her request. Was he interested in her after all? Or was it something else. That feeling of not being in control of his own actions was present again, like strings were on his SOUL, dictating his every move, his every choice.

He despised this feeling.

To be continued...